Here is some great info on preventing ice dams on your home from the Insurance Institute of Building and Home Safety.

During freezing weather, heat from your home or business can escape through your roof and melt snow on your roof. The snowmelt can then trickle down to the roof’s edge and refreeze, creating an ice dam that leaves additional snowmelt with no place to go but possibly under your roof. The following IBHS guidance will reduce your risk of ice dams.

Keep all drains, scuppers, gutters, and downspouts free of debris and vegetation that may restrict proper flow.

Remove or relocate heat sources that are installed in open attic areas directly under the roof, such as an attic.

Insulate light fixtures in the ceiling below an unheated attic space.

If you have penetrations into the attic, such as vents, seal and insulate them so that daylight cannot be seen and airflow is minimal.

If ice dams form around the drains, connect heating cables to the drains to prevent ice buildup. Heating cables can also be placed on the roof, connecting them to the drainage system so a path is created for the melting ice to follow.

Perhaps the best part your summer is getting out to do some grilling, but fire prevention experts are warning, between 2009 and 2013, more than 350 fires were caused by home grilling units.

To keep you grilling experience from going up in flames, it’s best to leave at least three feet of space around your grill for safety, never let the flame burn without you nearby watching it, and if the flame goes out, turn the gas off and wait about 15 minutes before relighting it.

As the summer sun heats up, fire safety experts also warn that the mulch typically used around your home in gardens and flower beds dries out, making it flammable with something as small as ash from a bon fire, grill, or even cigarette ash. Certain fire extinguishers won’t be enough to put out the type of fire that starts in mulch, because it can smolder underneath for hours. Even if you think you put the fire out, call your local fire department to be sure.

ServiceMaster Restoration Services of Oshkosh/Baraboo received an award for being in the top seven among 50 restoration franchises in the upper Midwest region for 2014. ServiceMaster’s upper Midwest region includes portions of seven states and the metros of the Twin Cities of Minnesota, De Moines Iowa, Madison Wi and the Fox River Valley. Thanks to all our employees for a great 2014 and a job well done!!

The most common symptoms of mold exposure are runny nose, eye irritation, cough, congestion, and aggravation of asthma. Individuals with persistent health problems that appear to be related to mold or other types of air quality contaminant exposure should see their physicians for a referral to specialists who are trained in occupational/environmental medicine or related specialties and are knowledgeable about these types of exposures.

Decisions about removing individuals from an affected area must be based on the results of such medical evaluation. Mold is naturally present in outdoor environments and we share the same air between the indoor and outdoor, it is impossible to eliminate all mold spores indoors.

2) There is no practical way to completely eliminate mold and mold spores in the indoor environment. The way to control indoor mold growth is to control moisture.

3) If mold is a problem in your home or building, you must clean up the mold and eliminate sources of moisture.

4) To prevent mold growth any source of a water problem or leak must be repaired.

5) Indoor humidity must be reduced (generally below 60%) to reduce the chances of mold growth by: adequately venting bathrooms, dryers, and other moisture-generating sources to the outside; using air conditioners and de-humidifiers; increasing ventilation; and using exhaust fans whenever cooking, dishwashing and cleaning.

6) Clean and dry any damp or wet building materials and furnishings within 24-48 hours to prevent mold growth.

7) Clean mold off of hard surfaces with water and detergent and dry completely.

This course will discuss the basis for legal liability for the operation or use of commercial autos. It reviews the major types of Commercial Automobile coverage’s available today. It will include Business Auto, Truckers Coverage, and Motor Carrier and Garage policies. The background and impact of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 will be discussed in terms of how it affects the trucking industry. The insurance requirements of the Motor Carrier Act will be reviewed. The requirements for Certificates of Insurance by the Interstate Commerce Commission and Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be discussed. The need for a Bill of Lading for goods in transit will be analyzed. In addition, we will review and discuss the need for Cargo coverage for commercial autos.

This course will review the Risk Management decision making process and discuss the goals of Risk Management as it pertains to the protection of assets of the business organization. The Steps in the Risk Management process will be reviewed and key words and terms will be defined. Included in our discussion will be a review of loss exposures that are inherent to Cyber Space in the 21st Century.

*Instructor for these classes will be Jim Lane

The classes will be held at 220 E Fernau Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901 Tuition for each class is $10.00 or $20.00 for the day, with lunch provided.

To register, please email Name, Agency, License #, Phone # and the Address for certificate to be mailed, to mike@smrestores.com or call (920) 233-6699.

Please mail in payment to 220 E Fernau Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901, if registering by phone a credit card may be used for payment.

Winter is right around the corner, and although beautiful, winter precipitation can knock out heat or power, sometimes for several days.

Make sure your policyholders are prepared, no matter what this winter season may hold, by sharing these home tips.

Prevent ice dams by periodically inspecting the roof drainage system for proper flow, including drains, gutters and down spouts.

Before turning on the furnace for the first time, clean or replace the filter, check the blower belt and motor, ensure the vents in the house are unobstructed and remove flammable objects from around the furnace and water heater.

Use caution with electric space heaters. Choose heaters with automatic shut-off switches and non-glowing elements. And never place a space heater on top of furniture or near water.

Insulate pipes with insulation or newspapers and plastic and allow faucets to drip a little during cold weather to avoid freezing. Running water, even at a trickle, helps prevent pipes from freezing.

Know how to shut off water valves in case a pipe bursts.

Insulate walls and attics, check caulking and weather-stripping around doors and windows, install storm doors or windows and cover windows with plastic.

Keep fire extinguishers on hand and make sure everyone in the house knows how to use them. House fires pose an additional risk, as more people turn to alternate heating sources without taking the necessary safety precautions.

If a policyholder’s home is damaged as a result of winter weather, ServiceMaster Restoration Services is here to return their lives back to normal as quickly as possible. Whether it’s water, fire or smoke damage, our restoration experts are ready to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, 365 days a year.

This course will discuss the basis for legal liability for the operation or use of commercial autos. It reviews the major types of Commercial Automobile coverage’s available today. It will include Business Auto, Truckers Coverage, and Motor Carrier and Garage policies. The background and impact of the Motor Carrier Act of 1980 will be discussed in terms of how it affects the trucking industry. The insurance requirements of the Motor Carrier Act will be reviewed. The requirements for Certificates of Insurance by the Interstate Commerce Commission and Wisconsin Department of Transportation will be discussed. The need for a Bill of Lading for goods in transit will be analyzed. In addition, we will review and discuss the need for Cargo coverage for commercial autos.

This course will review the Risk Management decision making process and discuss the goals of Risk Management as it pertains to the protection of assets of the business organization. The Steps in the Risk Management process will be reviewed and key words and terms will be defined. Included in our discussion will be a review of loss exposures that are inherent to Cyber Space in the 21st Century.

*Instructor for these classes will be Jim Lane

The classes will be held at 220 E Fernau Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901

Tuition for each class is $10.00 or $20.00 for the day, with lunch provided.

To register, please email Name, Agency, Licence #, Phone # and the Address for certificate to be mailed, to jim@smrestores.com or call (920) 233-6699. Please mail in payment to 220 E Fernau Ave, Oshkosh, WI 54901, if registering by phone a credit card may be used for payment.

Don’t miss the 10th Annual Zooloween Boo, October 18-19, at Menominee Park Zoo. This event will be featuring trick or treat stations, games, crafts, prizes, mascots and inflatable attractions. There will also be costume contests, jugglers, magicians and other entertainers.

It’s a weekend of activities and entertainment for the whole family. The cost is only $5 per adult, $3 per child, or $8 per adult, $5 per child for the whole weekend.

ServiceMaster Restoration Services will be there to be part of this event! So stop by to see us for some trick o‘ treat fun!

When was the last time you checked you smoke alarm? Now is the time as October 5th – 11th is fire prevention week.

Did you know that almost 60% of reported home fire deaths in 2007 to 2011 resulted from fires in homes with no smoke alarms or no working smoke alarms. Cooking is the leading cause of fires in your home with 2 of every 5 fires starting in the kitchen.

In 2011, U.S. fire departments responded to 370,000 home structure fires. These fires caused $6.9 billion in direct damage. If a fire does happen to your home it can cause injuries, damage and emotional stress. Our team at ServiceMaster Restoration Services is certified, trained and equipped to take care of your home after a fire.

You can get more fire facts, info and even take a quiz on your fire prevention knowledge on the National Fire Protection Association website –